MMO indecision

[PhoenixUp]

I will be graduating from college a semester ahead of schedule and will have an unprecedented amount of free-time (8 months) until graduate school begins next fall. I have always wanted to try an MMO but have never had time with school.
I'm leaning toward trying WoW, but EVE and FFXI have caught my eye as well.. Any suggestions or words of wisdom from veterans?

 

[Sephychu]

EVE is utterly brilliant. Try it out and see if you like it.

You won't regret it.

 

[Micah Weil]

Graduate school?
My recommendation, then, would be to AVOID MMOs LIKE THE PLAGUE.
Those things are time sinks. They drain the day like nobody's business. If you're going into grad school, then this is a very bad thing; you're not going to have any time anyway. I would say spend that time hanging out with friends and saying goodbye to them for a while. You're not going be COHERENT for a LOOOOOOOOONG while.

 

[Dylan Voyda]

Go for an MMO that you either have a lot of friends that already play, or play one that won't penalize you for playing single player. I never liked WOW personally, but that is more because I don't like the High fantasy setting more than any other. If you want a good MMO that can be played single play I would play Star Trek Online.

 

[Mcupobob]

Well I like WoW but I would only recommend it if you got some friends to play with, other than that it feels like a lonely grind.

 

[GahzlyGriffon]

ummm wait 1 more year for 40k dark milenium if your a warhammer fan

EVE is utterly brilliant if you get into it

wow like most ppl say is a grindfest unless you have freinds or a clan to join

 

[Who Dares Wins]

Graduate school?
My recommendation, then, would be to AVOID MMOs LIKE THE PLAGUE.
Those things are time sinks. They drain the day like nobody's business. If you're going into grad school, then this is a very bad thing; you're not going to have any time anyway. I would say spend that time hanging out with friends and saying goodbye to them for a while. You're not going be COHERENT for a LOOOOOOOOONG while.

LIKE THE PLAGUE DUDE!1!!

OT: No MMO that exists is worth your time (or money), seriously they're not fun, they require fucktons of free time, dedication, ability to go without showers for months and to poop in your socks, of course that's if you want to be good at a MMO, if you want you can play it 2 hours a day and probably reach the level cap in 10 minutes before the game itself ends(like in servers closing etc.)

 

[Ranorak]

Get the free trails from those games and see for yourself.
Only you can judge what you like.

 

[Dylan Voyda]

EVE is utterly brilliant. Try it out and see if you like it.

You won't regret it.

Won't regret it! It is next than impossible to play, is overly complicated, and seems to punish you for wanting to play it.

 

[Cpu46]

I play Mabinogi, Its graphics are much more modest than other games but the world is pretty open and of moderate size (nowhere near WOW size). The combat system isn't the normal MMO "stand next to target till target falls down" each hit stuns your opponent and if you hit them enough they will be knocked back, out of attack range allowing for you to prepare a skill. There are no classes, you gain skills through quests and level up each skill to boost its power. Its free so its at least worth a shot.
Vindictus, another game I'm beginning to like, is by the same company. Although its in Beta and some bugs are being ironed out it is free as well, the graphics are top notch, The combat is awesome, and bosses are huge.

 

[PhoenixUp]

Graduate school?
My recommendation, then, would be to AVOID MMOs LIKE THE PLAGUE.
Those things are time sinks. They drain the day like nobody's business. If you're going into grad school, then this is a very bad thing; you're not going to have any time anyway. I would say spend that time hanging out with friends and saying goodbye to them for a while. You're not going be COHERENT for a LOOOOOOOOONG while.

I absolutely understand, but that's what I did all through high school and undergraduate. I don't plan on continuing once I start school up again, but I feel like this is the only part of my life I can responsibly play an MMO (if such a thing is possible). AND I literally have nothing to do for 8 months..so if it's a time-suck during that period, that's fine by me. And of course I'll be spending time with my friends. I don't intend to completely plug myself into the game

 

[ChocoFace]

i'm not sure if this counts but League of Legends is probably the most awesome game i have ever played. Try it out if you like DotA-type games.

 

[Nieroshai]

Graduate school?
My recommendation, then, would be to AVOID MMOs LIKE THE PLAGUE.
Those things are time sinks. They drain the day like nobody's business. If you're going into grad school, then this is a very bad thing; you're not going to have any time anyway. I would say spend that time hanging out with friends and saying goodbye to them for a while. You're not going be COHERENT for a LOOOOOOOOONG while.

I agree with this man, but if you want a CASUAL MMORPG then join DDO(dungeons and dragons Online) and play the free version with a friend. That's right: you can join a guild for the benefits, but play for free and recruit a friend if you want to keep it a co-op game with live chat instead of a mmo. Heck, even friend me. I only play weekends, when I'd be utterly bored otherwise.

 

[PhoenixUp]

I agree with this man, but if you want a CASUAL MMORPG then join DDO(dungeons and dragons Online) and play the free version with a friend. That's right: you can join a guild for the benefits, but play for free and recruit a friend if you want to keep it a co-op game with live chat instead of a mmo.

Thanks, I'll have to look into DDO. Free is always nice, too.

 

[Dylan Voyda]

I just wanted to say that if you don't have many friends who play MMOs. Star Trek Online, while feeling like a work in progress, offers the closet thing to a straight single player game than any other MMO I have ever played. It also doesn't seem to want you to play it night and day.

 

[Brutal Peanut]

I recently started playing around on LOTR Online, just to give it a chance (it's also free). You can buy stuff for it, just like any free MMO - but it's not necessary. If you have the settings - that game actually looks great too, but make sure you are a fan of Tolkien and fantasy because it's high roleplay and narrative. Wall of text quest-givers. Even if you are just going out to kill bugs for them.

League of Legends is another free game, DOTA-style, that can just be plain fun.

But to be perfectly honest, THEY ARE ALL TIME SINKS. MMO's take up a lot of your time, even the free ones. I know, I've played W.o.W since it first came out, but I learned to actually balance everything and get things done during the day and see friends and family, but it was difficult. I did not think it would take that much to learn to STOP playing it so much. Though I've recently taken a break until Cataclysm. The shine has worn off the game after so long, if you will. I still enjoy it, but, I don't feel like I HAVE to play it. After a couple years, I finally learned how to be a casual player on that game. Some are better at being a casual player, then others.

Even League of Legends can sink your time. Every 5v5 match is 45-60 minutes, and they can go over that time if the teams are equally matched and know what they are doing. People are playing one match one right after the other, tells you how much time they have. But damn it, it's fun! =D

I've actually found that Eve online, isn't as bad as the rest because skills take so long to learn. Days even. However, Eve online can also be a pain in the ass, and has a steep learning curve. I was just getting the hang of it, as soon as my 14 day trial EXPIRED. But it's one hell of a beautiful game. I mean, it's gorgeous. ^_^ (it's not free though.)

Any of those I recommend. Except W.o.W. - don't do that if you are looking for something casual. W.o.W is Meth.

 

[Imperioratorex Caprae]

WoW, but only after Cataclysm is implemented. The single-player experience is much better (I can say this having played through the beta). Much more fun and less grind-festy. EVE is complicated and feels more like running a business than playing a game, which if that is your thing then by all means.
Or just play one of the F2P ones like LOTRO or DDO.

 

[bue519]

None because their like potato chips. You can't just play for 8 months and stop, thats long enough for them to get their claws into you.

 

[xxcloud417xx]

EVE is utterly brilliant. Try it out and see if you like it.

You won't regret it.

Won't regret it! It is next than impossible to play, is overly complicated, and seems to punish you for wanting to play it.

Don't get Eve, get the trial. It's an experience in itself to be utterly disgusted by a game within the first minute so I highly recommend trying that out. lol

As for actual games (because Eve is a job not a game) you can try WoW, however if you wait for about another month and a half you can hop right into the Cataclysm and start playing in a fresh new world (of warcraft).

FF 14 is apparently a beautiful but silly game that has no endgame and makes you feel really pathetic at low levels (my friend was killed by a common squirrel, even WoW makes you stronger than critters right off the bat, lol.)

As for being able to go at it alone, WoW doesn't do a horrible job at making solo-able content. I leveled on my own from level 1 to 80 without issues and see myself doing the same from 80 to 85 in Cataclysm.

So all in all I would suggest WoW from the ones you mentioned. On another note though, I would honestly suggest you go to Star Wars : The Old Republic Online once it is released. Bioware is working hard at creating an online experience that is perfectly playable (and actually enjoyable) on your own.

Finally, if you are having issues making friends, you need look no further than the Escapist. There are several gamers here playing games of any and all kinds, just ask and we will certainly help get you started in any game you choose to play. I'd help you in WoW if you need.

 

[Shining_Pyrelight]

I personally like WoW, so I recommend that but only with friends. You could also try Guild Wars, its fun and free.
Though, if you play any MMO for 8 months it will be near impossible to quit. So think of school and balancing an MMO along with that.